When do you add the 12" extension at the bottom of stairs?

[Ryan Schultz]

When do you add this 12" extension to handrails at the bottom of a stair run?


All the time? Or are there times you don't need it?

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Another question: Can this 12" extension run perpendicular to the stair run? That is, can it turn a corner for example?

Assume an IBC, commercial application.

 

[RLGA]

When you are in California.

 

[tbz]

When do you add this 12" extension to handrails at the bottom of a stair run?


All the time? Or are there times you don't need it?

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Another question: Can this 12" extension run perpendicular to the stair run? That is, can it turn a corner for example?

Assume an IBC, commercial application.

This is going to depend on the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

The model IBC, DOJ Adopted 2010 ADA & the last 3 "ANSI A117.1" all do NOT require the 12" extension at the bottom of "STAIR FLIGHTS", they are only required at the top of stair flights and top and bottom of ramps.

So to answer your question: You will need to check for local adoption as a modification from the model code.

As to when you can turn, handrail extensions are required to extend for the minimum required 12 inches in the same direction of the stair flight and ramp runs without any turn, until after the minimum extension requirement is met.

The exception to the requirement is when the handrail continues on to a stair flight or ramp run, as a continuous run.

So if your project has not modified IBC for this section, then once your handrail has met the sloped distance equal to the last tread, you would be good and at that point even if you add the non required level off run, you can turn it.

Now if your in a jurisdiction that requires the 12" level off at the bottom stair flights, then you would have to project a minimum of 12" prior to turning.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

2015 IBC only requires them on on a landing between flights if the handrail does not continue if they are not an accessible means of egress and not at all at:
Exceptions:
1. Handrails within a dwelling unit that is not required
to be accessible need extend only from the top riser
to the bottom riser.
2. Handrails serving aisles in rooms or spaces used for
assembly purposes are permitted to comply with the
handrail extensions in accordance with Section
1029.15.
3. Handrails for alternating tread devices and ships
ladders are permitted to terminate at a location vertically
above the top and bottom risers. Handrails for
alternating tread devices are not required to be continuous
between flights or to extend beyond the top
or bottom risers.

 

[Paul Sweet]

ANSI A117.1, UFAS, and the original ADA all required the horizontal extension. The 2004 ADA was a joint effort between the Access Board and ANSI A117.1 dropped the requirement for a horizontal extension at the bottom. This was adopted by DOJ as the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.